



-0^ 










•^-^^^ 









■^ V' 0'*°' '"^ aP »-L!ir'I.'* ' 





•t o 





.0' 




:^ii«*^ 






J7< 



0* 



vC 






0^ .'•-•'. -^ 









o V 








'^' " ' • "' <^ aP 







.^^"V 

V ^ 












^O^ 





Ao^ 






^■"^- %.^ -^fc ^'Z •'^^- "^^^^ ^^^- 



-n^-o^ 



o V 






o " • ^ (O 



o V 



^0^ /'^S''. '^bv^- ^■^"' ■ ' ''^' 



■^^^^ 











: ,<.^^., 




> "' .'. s" 


• ^^--^ 






















^p s 













V. "IV^ 



25th Congress, T Doc. No. 367. 1 Ho. of Rsos. a' 

2d Session. IVar Depf. ' 

\ - ' j 

1 
ANNUITY— SENECA INDIANS— 1S37. \ 



LETTER 



THE SECRETARY OF WAR, 

TRANSMITTING 

*/2 Report from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in reply to a res(h 
liition of the House of Representatives of the 19 th March. 



JNIay 10, 1S3S, 

Kead, and laid upon the table. 
^ 

Department of War, May S, 1838. 
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report and documents 
from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in reply to a resohition of the 
House of Representatives of the lUth of March last, in reference to the- 
payment of the annuity due the Seneca Indians for IS 37. 

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

S. COOPER, 
t^iciing Secretary of War. 
Hon. James K. Polk, 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 



War Department, 
Office Indian Affairs, May 4, 1838« 
Sir: In obedience to your direction, I have the honor to report on the 
resolution of tlie House of Representatives of March 19th. 

Soon after its receipt at this office, copies were sent to the Indian siil>-- 
agent and the military disbursing agent for such information as they coukl 
communicate. Their answers are among the copies of correspondetjce 
herewith transmitted. The money and goods for paying the annuity wene 
forwarded in .June last. The other inquiries in the resolution are answered 
in the accompanying papers. 

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

C. A. HARRIS, Commissioner. 
Capt. S. Cooper, 

Acting Secretary of War, 



£^ 



.<i 



\ Doc. No. 367. ] ^' /., 



A. — [extract.] 

War Department, 
Office Indian Affairs, June 23, 1837. 

Sir: In consequence of tlprnngcmcnt in the financial operations of the 
country, it has been found impracticable to procure specie for the whole 
amount of the annuities payable to the Indians the present year. The 
arrangements of the Treasury permit the payment of about one-half the 
aniount due to each tribe. 

The balance of the annuities, it has been determined, after much con- 
sideration, to offer to the Indians in goods. P'or a large majority of them 
bank notes are, of course, out of the question ; and goods purchased in 
large quamities, directly of tlie importers, furnish the nearest equivalent 
to specie that can be procured. 1 have written to Mr. Schoolcraft on this 
subject, and requested him to give the agents and sub-agents such in- 
structions as will enable them' to make the necessary explanations to the 
Indians. A similar letter will be addressed to Governor Dodge, and simi- 
lar instructions given to Colonel Pepper, ]Mr. Kercheval, Col. McElvain, 
and Mr. Stryker, 

Copies of these papers and of letters to Mr. C. Bush, Col. Symington, 
Mr. Conner, and to the contractors for the goods, Messrs. Suydam, Jack- 
son, & Co., of New York, will be enclosed to you, and will put you in 
possession of the views of the Government, which you are requested to 
comnmnicate to the military officers whom you may call upon to assist in 
paying the annuities, and also to take the several measures therein de- 
volved on you. Of course it will be your duty to cause the goods to be 
transported from the places of delivery to those of the payments of the 
annuities. The goods and money for these should be paid at the same 
time. 

It is a part of the arrangement, that, when Mr. Bush shall have satis- 
fied himself of the identity of the goods delivered with those purchased, he 
sliall endorse on a copy of the invoice, which will be in the possession of 
the contractors, a certificate to that eflect, and the person who receives 
them a receipt ; upon this certificate and receipt payment will be made 
to the contractors. The same coiu'se will be taken in regard to the Lo- 
gansport delivery by Col. Symington. 

It is a stipulation in the contract that the goods shall be examined to 
ascertain the amount of damage, if any, occurring in tranntu; and that, 
if any be discovered, the amount shall be a])]>raised by disinterested per- 
sons, one to be chosen by each party, and the amoimt of the award de- 
ducted from tlie amount of the invoice. You will of course have this 
attended to. 

A warrant will be issued in your favor for 0102,786, on account of an- 
"tiuities, being about one-half of the whole amount due; the other half be- 
ing in goods, for which the Treasury Department will give the following 
drafts: 

1. One on the receiver at Milv/aukee for the Mc- 

nomonie onnuity - - . - ^13,000 

2. One on the same for Six Nations at Green Bay 195 

— jgl3,195 



[ Doc. Xo. 367. ] 

3. One on the receiver at Lima, Ohio, for Wyan- 

dots - - . . - ^2,950 

4. One on same for Munsees, Delawares, and 

Wyandots - _ . . 500 

5. One on receiver at Chicago for Ottawas, Chip- 

pewas, and Pottawatamies 

6. One on the receiver at Fort Wayne for Pot- 

tawatamies . _ _ _ 

7. One on same for Miamies - - - 

8. One on bank in Detroit for Ottawas and Chip- 

pewas ----- 

9. One on same for Christian Indians - 

10. One on same for Six Nations, New York 

11. One on same for Senecas of New York 

12. One on same for Oltawas at Maumee 

13. One on same for Chippewas - - - 



If the banks refuse to give specie for the ^21,150 due to the Indians of 
the Mackinac agency, tlije receiver at Milwaukee has been instructed by 
the Secretary of the Treasury to take up the draft and supply/- the specie. 
To the receiver at Detroit similar instructions have been given in respect 
to the other drafts on banks in that city, as above noted, in the event of 
a refusal to pay in specie. The drafts Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, being on re- 
ceivers, will doubtless produce the specie. 

A second warrant will be issued for ^21,225, on account of treaty stip- 
ulations ; for this the Treasury will give the following drafts, viz : 
36 of ^500 each ----- g 18,000 

1 of 255 - - - - - - 255 

7 of 200 each - . _ . - 1,400 
16 of 100 each ----- 1.600 



. 


S'3,450 
16,350 


27,035 




13,050 






40,085 




21,150 




400 




2,056 




3,000 




1,700 




1,400 






29,706 






^102,786 



521,255 



A third warrant will be issued for ^5,000, for which the following drafts 
will be given, viz : 

6 of ^500 each ----- ^3,000 

5 of 200 each - - . , - - 1,000 

10 of 100 each ----- i,000 



^5,000 



Enclosed I transmit ten copies of the Treasury circular, dated the 17th 
of May, from which you will perceive that these drafts are receivable iu 
payment for lands and custom-house bonds, if not paid by the banks on 
which drawn, when certain conditions arc complied with. I presume you 
can readily obtain upon them such funds as will enable you to meet all 
the engagements of the Government in a manner satisfactory to its cred- 



4 [ Doc. No. 367. ] 

rtors. The whole arrangement has been so guardedly framed, that I think 
you cannot possibly be disappointed in procuring the whole amount of 
specie and other suitable funds required. 

Very, &c., 

C. A. HARRIS, Commissioner. 
Major John Garland, 

Detroily Michigan. 



B. — [extract.] 

War Department, 
Office Indian Jlffairs, June 23, 1837. 

Sir : The annuities due to the tribes in New York will be paid this 
year half in specie and half in goods. Warrants for the former will be 
sent to Major Garland at Detroit, who, if not able to superintend the 
payment in person, will designate an officer to perform the duty. Should 
neitlier he nor his agent be at Buflalo at the time the goods reach there, 
(1st July,) you will be pleased to receive them, and give your receipt 
on the invoice, after Mr. Bush shall have endorsed his certificate thereon, 
and retain them until they can be delivered to IVIajor Garland's order. 
The goods have been selected in New York with great care, and in qual- 
ity, eheapness, and adaptation to the wants of the Indians, may be 
favorably compared with the best furnished by the traders. Mr. Bush, 
who had some agency in this purchase in New York, will be present at 
their delivery, principally for the purpose of identifying them. You will 
make the necessary preliminary arrangements for their delivery, and the 
payment of the specie to the Indians, in the manner prescribed in the re- 
TLsed regulations Nos. 3 and 4, five copies of which, and of the laws of 
30th June, 1834, are enclosed for your use and information. Enclosed 
you will find a statement showing in detail the various objects to which 
ihe remittances to Major Garland for your agency are applicable. 

The necessity for this payment in goods has resulted from the derange- 
ment in the finances of the country. The causes of this are doubtless 
understood by you, and you will make the necessary explanation to the 
Indians. Whether they will consent to receive these goods must be de- 
lermtned by themselves. If, after examining them, understanding the 
nmnner in which they have been selected, and the motives for making 
tfie payments in this mode, they shall manifest a reluctance to receive 
iliem, they must not be urged to do so ; but, in that event, they must 
Trait for the balance of the annuities until it is convenient for the Gov- 
ernment to pay them in specie. 

Very, &c. 

C. A. HARRIS, Commissioner. 

James Strykeu, Esq., 

Buffalo, N. Y. 



C. 

Washington, September 9, 1837. 
Sir : In conformity with the instructions received from you, I submit- 
ted to the chiefs of the New York Indians the proposition from the Gov- 
rannient to pay the annuities for the present year in goods and specie. 



f Doc. No. 367. ] 5 

I met the principal chiefs for this purpose at two ditlerent points, on 
the Butialo creek and Cattaraugus reservations, and stated to them the 
necessity that compelled the Government to the arrangement that had 
been made. The invoices of the goods were exhibited, and the goods 
referred to as evidence of the disposition to deal fairly and generously 
with them in this particular. I also suggested that if the present offer 
was not accepted, it was impossible to say whether the annuity could 
be paid in any other way during the suspension of specie payments by 
the deposite banks, and that if the Indians now refused the goods, they 
might be obliged to wait several months for their annuity. 

They heard all I had to say with attention, and gave to it a respectful 
and deliberate consideration. Their answer, which they had prepared 
in writing, and sent to me by the interpreter, is enclosed. I found it im- 
possible to move them from their purpose. They had called for the 
iS6,000 in specie, and would have nothing else for the whole amount. 
They would rather delay the payment, to meet the convenience of the 
Government, than accept the goods in lieu of the specie, which they 
say they must have, even if it be several months hence. They have fixed 
upon the 20th October to assemble in council and have the determination 
of the Government in this matter. The answer, however, can be given at 
any time ; and as, if specie is to be paid, the payment must probably be 
deferred beyond the time appointed by the Indians, and no necessity in 
that case existing for their early assemblage, I shall be happy now, upon 
due consultation, to have such arrangement made as must be satisfactory 
to all concerned, under the difficulties which surround this subject. 

Most respectfully, your obedient servant, 

JAMES STRYKER, 



To the Commissioner of Indian Affairs 



Sub-agent N. Y. Indians. 



Buffalo Reservation, «/M/y 6, 1837. 

Sir : We have heard the proposition which you have made to the New 
York Indians, on behalf of the Government, respecting the payment of the 
annuities. As your duty, you have fairly and strongly stated all the rea- 
sons which originated this proposition ; the principal one of which is, the 
derangement in the finances of the country. You propose to pay us 
one half in goods, and the other half in cash. We have no doubt the 
goods have been selected with care, and at fair prices, and are of a good 
quality ; although we do not find among them any blankets for the New 
York Indians. 

We have given this proposition due consideration, and we cannot pos- 
sibly accept of it. The Seneca annuity of ^6,000 has always been paid 
in cash ; and we have this year, in consequence of the derangement in 
the currency, and the want of confidence in bank money, and the neces- 
sity for change among ourselves, distinctly demanded this annuity in 
specie. We cannot, in justice to ourselves, accept of any other payment; 
and we are rather willing to defer the payment several months, than take 
any thing but specie for this annuity ; wc so decided last year. We live 
in the midst of the whites ; most of us adopt their mode of living; and in 



6 [ Doc. No. 367. ] 

the supply of onr ordinary wants, and in our business transactions, we 
need some money, and it is much more serviceable to us than prints, 
handkerchiefs, and other articles of clothing annually sent. 

With regard to the annuity to the Six Nations of §4,500, we have al- 
ways received it in goods, articles of clotiiing, implements of husbandry, 
and according to treaty stipulations. We have blacksmiths and gun- 
smiths at work among us, and we are supplied by you with hoes, axes, 
&c., from time to time. You can best say whether §2,800 will pay the 
present charge upon that annuity for our work, &c. We do not believe 
that it will, because we resolved in council last year that we would have 
^2,000 worth of gunsmith and blacksmith work, and we have besides 
been obliged to draw for hoes, axes, and other implements, according to 
our usual practice, throughout the year. 

We again repeat, and wish you to answer the proposition of the Gov- 
ernment, that we want to have the annuity of §6,000 paid to the Senecas 
in specie, and enough of the §4,500 to the Six Nations, in order to meet 
the bills for work and implements furnished. 

We give j'-ou notice that we shall hold a general council on the 20th 
October next, by which time we presume the money matters will be 
easier, and the Government able to pay us specie. If it is not paid then, 
we shall then determine what course we will take. We shall then ex- 
pect our annuities to be settled, and the goods to be given us as we have 
heretofore had them, only on account of- the §4,500 annuity, and in kind 
and quantity as we shall select, includmg blankets. 

You will please communicate this our decision to the Government. 

Big Kettle, his x mark. 

Captain Pollard, his x mark. 

Seneca White, his x mark. 

James Stevenson, his x mark. 

White Seneca, his x mark. 

Thomas Jimeson, his x mark. 

George Jimeson, his x mark. 

William Jones, his x mark. 

Job Pierce, his x mark. 

Onondagas. 

Captain Cole, his x mark. 

Onondaga Petre, his x mark. 

Schee Smith, his x mark. 

Witness : Nathaniel T. Strong, Interpreter. 

Cattaraugus, July 20, 1837. 
The proposition respecting the payment of the annuity having been 
made by the agent to the chiefs at Cattaraugus, we unanimously concur 
in the foregoing statement of the chiefs at Buffalo creek, and in the re- 
fusal to accept of any but a specie payment of the §6,000 annuity, and 
agree to the 20th October next as the time for assembling a general 
council to receive the determination of the Government. 

Captain Strong, his x mark. 

Israel Jimeson, his x mark. 

George Bennett, his x mark. 

Sanmel Gordon, his x mark. 



[ Doc. No. 367. ] 



Joseph Snow, his x mark. 

George Big Deer, his x mark. 
C. F. Pierce, 

Cliarles Greybeon his x mar}v. 
Nathaniel T. Strona:. 



Witness present : H. P. Wilcox. 



Allegany, July 22, 1837. 

The proposition of the Government having been made by the agent to 
the chiefs on the Allegany : 

We unanimously concur in the foregoing statement of the chiefs at the 
Buffalo, and at the Cattaraugus, and the refusal to accept any but a 
specie payment of the vS6,000 annuity ; and also agree to the 20th Octo- 
ber next as a time for assembling a general council. 

Govr. Blacksnake, his x mark. 

James Robinson, his x mark. 

Tunis Halftown, his x mark. 

William Patterson, his x mark. 

John Pierce, his x mark. 

Jacob Blacksnake his x mark. 

Sky Pierce, his x mark. 

Long John, his x mark. 

James Shingo, his x mark. 

Jacob Jimeson, his x mark. 

Witness present : Nathaniel T. Strong, Interpreter. 

To Hon. James Strykek, 

Agent of the New York Indians. 



D. 

Washington, March 30, 1S3S. 
Sir : My attention having been called by you to a resolution of the 
19th March instant, directing the Secretary of War to communicate to 
the House of Representatives, among other matters, the causes why the 
annuity of 1837 to the Seneca Indians has not been paid, I beg leave 
to state, that when I was informed last summer by the disbursing agent 
at Detroit that funds had been transmitted to him for the payment of the 
Seneca annuities, and was apprized of the mode in which it was pro- 
posed to make the payment, I laid the whole matter before the principal 
chiefs of the nation. It happened about that time that a delegation was 
expected to proceed to the country west of the Mississippi, and would start 
before preparation could be made for meeting the disbursina: officer in 
coimcil. Under all the circumstances, the chiefs thought it advisable to 
make a communication to me requesting tlie payment to bo deferred until 
a general council which was to convene soon after the return of the dele- 
gation. That council, it was believed, would be enabled to assemble in 
November, but, owing to the bod state of the roads after the return of the 
delegates, find the imusual preparations antecedent to a meeting so im- 
mensely important to the interests of the Indians as the contemplated one 
was expected to be, a sufficient time was given, on consultation with the old 
and principal chiefs, and the council did not convene until December 21, 



8 [ Doc. No. 367. ] 

The disbursing officer at Detroit was notified of the time, and also advised 
that other business was expected to occupy the council, and that the re- 
ception of the annuity is always the last matter attended to at a council. 
He did not, oi" course, come on immediately. The council continued en- 
gaged in t!ie treaty negotiation throughout the month of January. I un- 
derstood that the paymaster, in consequenceof the frontier troubles which 
then happened, became actively engaged in the performance of military 
duty at Detroit. The navigation of the lake in the mean time had closed, 
and the travelling became very bad from Detroit to Bulfalo. Towards 
the close of the council the cliiefs inquired about the payment of the 
annuity. I gave the necessary exi)lanations, with wliich they all appeared 
satisfied. No censure was cast upon the Government or the agents. It 
was not pretended that the annuity had been jnu'posely withheld ; and 
indeed most of the chiefs afterwards requested that the whole matter 
should lie over for the present. They said they could very well wait 
mjtil the next annuity was ready, when they would receive the whole. 

I was informed subsequciuly that some individuals to whom the In- 
dians were indebted made complaints at the delay, and that others who 
intended to oppose the treaty said they should insist that the annuities 
were delayed in order to force the treaty through ; than which a more 
absurd and groundless allegation could not be made. The payment of 
the amuiity of 1S37 was not discussed, nor a question raised on it during 
the session of the council, until the treaty was signed. 

\'erv respcctfuUv, your obedient servant, 

JAMES STRYKER, 



Sub-a<j[Cfil N. v. Indians. 



To Hon. C. A. Harius 



E. 

Washington, March 30, 1838. 

Sir: As delegates from the Seneca Indians of New York, authorized 
to transact business with the Government for our nation, the undersigned 
beg your attention to a few words, princij)ally in relation to our annuity. 

We have seen a resolution of the 19th JNIarch instant, calling on the 
Secretary of War for information respecting the payment of the annuity 
of 1S37, and we are inclined to believe that complaints have been made 
on this subject, which have not the general sanction of the Senecas. We 
have been well informed of all the circumstances which have occasioned 
the delay of payment; and however much we regret them, we do not 
believe there has been any hitention on the part of the Government or its 
agents to withhold the annuity. Our general council, at which the an- 
miities were expected to be paid, was held in December last, the business 
of which occupied the nation until February. At the close of the coun- 
cil our chiefs appeared satisfied with the exj)lanations given by the agent ; 
we heard no murmuring at the time; and our desire now is, as the sea- 
son is so far advanced, to have both ]iayments of 1837 and 1838 made at 
the same time, with as little delay as possible. We have to request that 
the Seneca annuity of ^6,000 be paid to us in money, and in no other way; 
and tliat, in the distribution of goods on account of the annuity of the. 



[ Doc, No. 367. ] 9 

New York Indians, there be furnished a full supply of blankets. With 
respect to the mode of payment, we have it in charge from our people to 
ask that the annuities be paid to the heads of families. In no other way 
can full justice be done to all, impositions prevented, and complaints 
silenced. 

Respectfully, yours, &c., 

James Stevenson, his x mark. 

White Seneca, his x mark. 

George Bennett, his x mark. 

George Jimeson, his x mark. 

Daniel Two Guns, 

Samuel Gordon, 

Nathaniel T. Strong, 
Delegates frotn the Seneca nation. 
Hon. C. A. Harris. 



Office Pr. Mil. Disb. Agent Ind. Department, 

Detroit, Jipril 16, 1838. 

Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 
29th March, enclosing a resolution of the House of Representatives in 
reference to the New York Seneca Indians, and requesting me to com- 
municate such information as I possess in relation to this matter. 

As your letter has reference only to the causes of the non-payment of 
their annuity for the year 1837, it can be best explained by stating that 
the payment has been postponed from time to time by Judge Stryker, the 
agent of those Indians, for causes enumerated in the following extracts 
and copies of his letters addressed to me. 

\_First extract.'] 

" You will not, of course, come here until you hear from me. And I 
shall give you the earliest information, and from time to time advise you 
how the matter stands." 

\^Second extract.'] 

" Buffalo, July 2(i, 1837. 
" In a letter sent to me by the Indians, and signed by all the principal 
chiefs, they fix upon the 20th October for their general council, and ap- 
pear i:iot to expect you before that time." 

For postponement of payment from 20th October till 15th November, 
see copy of letter from Commissioner of Indian Affairs, " B," In a letter 
of the 6th November, Judge Stryker remarks, that the Indians cannot get 
ready as soon as the 20th November, owing to the absence of the delega- 
tion with Mr. Schermerhorn, and expresses a hope that I will not leave 
Detroit for Buffalo until notified. In a letter of the 11th November, the 
agent informs me that the Indians in council had fixed upon the 16th 



10 \ Doc. No. 367. ] 

December to meet and receive their annuity. But on the 4th December* 
this arrangement is frustrated, as you will perceive by the enclosed letter 
marked "No. 1." 

On the 2Gth December, Judge Stryker, the agent, writes me that they 
are still engaged in the business presented by the United States commis-- 
sioner, and will be thus occupied in all probability for a fortnight or more, 
and that it will be better for me to deter coming tor some time yet. 

On the 6th January, he again writes, '• We shall undoubtedly be occu- 
pied a fortnight longer in this treaty-making business, and shall not, cer- 
tainly, be ready to attend to the settleni jnt of annuities for several weeks: 
perhaps you had better remain until I notify you." 

On the 15th January, he writes me that the business of the council is 
still continued J and nobody can tell when it will end; and that he will 
give me notice when any change comes that will render my presence 
proper. 

And on the 8tli February, he informs me that the treaty has been con- 
cluded, and that he leaves for Washington the next week with a delega- 
tion of the Indians. 

To avoid any disappointment which might arise from the close of navi- 
gation, and the consequent necessity of transporting specie by land., over 
bad roads, I despatched, on the- 29th November, an agent to Buffalo, with 
ten thousand dollars, applicable to the payment of this amuiity. This 
money was placed on special deposite to my credit, in the Bank of Buf- 
falo, where it still remains, except a thousand dollars taken out for the- 
payment of work done under treaty stipulations. 

I would have preferred to send copies of all the letters upon this sub- 
ject, but am making busy preparations for the payment of the Seneca and 
Wyandot annuity, and in getting off my quartermaster's accounts. 
With great respect, I am your obedient servant, 

JOHN GARLAND, 
JMojor United States army. 

C. A. Harris, Esq., Cojn. Indian JJffaii's, 

Washington city, D. C. 



No. 1. 



Buffalo, December 4, 1837. 
Dear Sir : I have just received yours of the 22d ultimo, informing me 
of your intention to be here by the 15th of December. We propose 
opening the council for the purpose of holding a treaty at that time, and 
it is feared that, if the paymoster should be here ready to make a payment 
at the opening of the council, the Indians who opposed the treaty will 
demand the payment as preliminary. And w^e well know that the mo- 
ment the payment is made, the Indians will disperse. The consequence 
must follow, that all the expense incurred by the Government in relation 
to delegations and the attendance of commissioners will be wasted. It is 
therefore desired that you will not visit us until a fair trial has been made 
of two weeks' session of the council to conclude a treaty. You can easily 
spend Christmas at home, and then be here in season; although person- 
ally I should be glad to see you, still, for the reasons given, I should con- 



^ t\ 



-I 4 8, ''' ) ^6 



[ Doc. No. 367. J 11 

sider your attendance until after Christmas most unfortunate in relation to 
the negotiations now pending. 

Most respectfully, your obedient servant, 

JAMES STRYKER. 
Major J. Garland. 



Sir: I fully concur with Judge Stryker, that it will behest for you not 
to attend the council until the matter is settled whether a treaty can be 
made or not. At present, every thing appears favorable for a treaty ; but, 
should the payment be made at the beginning of the council, it will blow 
up all our prospects. If you are here by the first of January, you will be 
in season. 

With r»spect, your obedient servant. 



Major John Garland, U. S. army. 



J. F. SCHERMERHORN. 



a. 

War Department, 
Office Indian Jjffairs, March 12, 1S38. 
Sir : You are requested to adopt immediate measures for paying the 
annuities for 1837 to the Wyandots and the Indians in New York. The 
moiety of goods will be again tendered to them; but if they persist in 
their refusal to accept them, you will pay the amount in specie, using the 
funds in your hands, which will be replaced hereafter, and placing the 
goods where they will be secure from loss or damage, and will be ready 
for future disposition. 

The otfer of the goods should be made as an independent proposition, 
and without any intimation that, in the event of their rejection, any thing 
else will be given in lieu of them. 

Very, &c., 

C. A. HARRIS, Cojnniissioner. 
Major John Garland, Detroit, Michigan. 



H. 

War Department, 
Office Indian Jiff airs, March 21, 1838. 
Sir : Since the date of my communication of the 12th instant, relative 
to the payment of the annuities to th.e Wyandots, and the Indians in New 
York, it has been determined that the i§6,000 due to the Senecas shall, in 
any event, be paid in specie. You will not, therefore, otier them any 
portion in goods. 

Very, &c., 

C. A. HARRIS, Commissioner^ 
Major John Garland, Detroit, Michigan. 

























<^^ 





















^.- y ■ay ^ • -^. .: ■• ^ ^ 



.^^ 



"°o 



.-k^'.-J^--,"** 



•>*„ ."^ 




-^. « 








^^-^^^ 



^' 







^^ UBRARr BINDING ^S * ^!^\^^!/!vX ° V' "^ 

^ ST. AUGUSTINE <^ *7^ ^ ^ ^ .^ ^ *-o... ., 



^,^^^LA- . 




■0' .■ 



* o. 






-^o 



